Foil laminate credit card and method of producing foil laminate credit card with double-sided printing

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a multi-surfaced foil laminate comprising an improved credit card and identification card having printed indicia visible on both sides through a clear plastic over-laminating film, the foil laminate comprising two printed surfaces, both surfaces printed by conventional lithography offset halftone printing. Alternative embodiments comprise a foil laminate with a printed metal foil outside surface and a printed plastic film outside surface and a foil laminate with two printed foil outside surfaces.

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.09/704,976 filed Nov. 2, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-surfaced foil laminatecomprising an improved credit card having at least two surfaces, bothsurfaces printed on one side and serving as outside surfaces providingidentifying indicia through an exterior transparent plastic film, andthe method of making the foil laminate with two printed surfaces, theprinting being by conventional offset half tone lithography printing.The invention is also directed to a novel multi-surfaced credit cardfoil laminate having two outside surfaces fused together withover-laminating film and provided with printing on both sides of thefoil laminate credit card or identification card.

The use of foil laminates, which possess an external clear plasticsurface to protect a printed surface and identifying indicia, is wellknown. The attractiveness of a metallic surface is generally recognizedbut such surfaces with printed indicia are subject to erosion withnormal use without protective covering. Typical applications are creditcards, identification cards and similar uses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of foil laminates, which possess an external clear plasticsurface to protect a printed surface and identifying indicia, is wellknown. The attractiveness of a metallic surface is generally recognizedbut such metal surfaces with printed indicia are subject to smearing,smudging, or distortion of the wet ink as the printed metallic surfacesare handled during printing and further processing. In the prior art,metallic foil is taught as a laminate with an exterior plastic surface,which serves as the printing surface and as a protective outer surface.Reverse printing of the plastic surface which protects the metallic foilis used to provide print indicia on the inside of the plastic surfaceadjacent to the surface of the metallic foil, to avoid printing directlyon the metallic foil.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Laminates with double-sided printing are known in the prior art. U.S.Pat. No. 5,653,844 teaches a method of double-sided printing on bothsurfaces of an outer surface of a foil laminate. The method ofdouble-sided printing includes initially printing on the first side ofan outer surface of a plastic film material wherein the printing isimparted to the side or surface of the plastic film material facingtowards an underlying metallic foil to which it is to be adhered and theprinting is applied to the plastic film material through theintermediary of either reverse or other suitable halftone colorprinting. Subsequently, the plastic material is bonded at the printedsurface to the underlying metallic foil and a further printing isapplied to the exterior surface of the outer plastic film surface.Thermal transfer printing is applied so as to not form any impressionson the foil laminate.

It is known to apply a clear vinyl film such as PVC over the printing ona vinyl core such as PVC under heat and pressure in a hydrauliclaminating press. U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,533 teaches a method of preparinga credit card with a printed metallic surface protected by a transparentplastic film, which is bonded to the metal containing surface by aheat-activated adhesive, the metallic surface in the form of metal foilbonded to a plastic substrate under the application of heat and pressurein a hydraulic laminating press. U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,533 teaches themethod of printing upon the metallic foil is by silk-screen printingwith ultraviolet curable ink, the ink being cured immediately uponapplication of ultraviolet light. The use of conventional offsetlithography printing is taught as not practical, especially in anautomated process since the details of the graphics tend to blur and theprocessing of a plastic substrate with a metallized surface isproblematical and unpredictable in results because the laminate ineffect becomes a capacitor for storing static electricity generatedduring processing such as printing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,533 teaches thatproblems in breakage of the thin metalized surface and/or lack ofclarity can be encountered in the application of a protective film overa metallic surface applied on the plastic core of a credit card.

It is an object of this invention to provide a credit card and a methodof making a credit card as a double sided multiple surface doubleprinted laminate credit card or identification card which provides anattractive metal surface with printed indicia which printing isprotected against erosion and normal usage by a transparent plasticfilm.

It is an object of this invention to provide a credit card and a methodof making a credit card as a double sided multiple surface doubleprinted laminate credit card, gift card or identification card usingconventional offset lithographic printing on a metal foil-plasticsurfaced laminate and on a plastic film substrate, which are collated toform the double-sided multiple surface double printed laminate creditcard.

It is an object of this invention to provide a double sided multiplelaminate as an alternative credit card or identification card and methodfor preparing an alternative double sided multiple surface doubleprinted laminate credit card or identification card using conventionaloffset half tone lithography printing on a metal foil-plastic surfacedlaminate and on a plastic film substrate, the metal foil-plasticlaminate with printing on the metal foil and the printed plastic filmsubstrate being collated and laminated together to form the double sidedmultiple surface double printed laminate credit card.

It is an object of this invention to provide a double sided multiplelaminate as an alternative credit card and a method of making analternative double sided multiple surface double foil printed laminatecredit card which provides two attractive metal surfaces with printedindicia which printing is protected against erosion and normal usage bya transparent plastic film.

It is an object of this invention to provide a double sided multiplelaminate as an alternative credit card and a method of making a creditcard as a double sided multiple surface double foil printed laminatecredit card using conventional offset lithographic printing on metalfoil-plastic surfaced laminates to provide two attractive metal surfaceswith printed indicia by conventional offset lithographic printing whichare collated to form the double-sided multiple surface double foilprinted laminate credit card.

It is an object of this invention to provide a double sided doubleprinted multiple surface and laminate as an alternative credit cardusing conventional offset lithographic printing on a plastic filmsubstrate and on a metal foil adhered to the plastic film substrate by asuitable adhesive, the multiple surface consisting essentially of theprinted PVC film substrate and printed metal foil adhering thereto beinglaminated over with an over-laminating PVC film.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method for preparing adouble sided double printed multiple surface and laminate as analternative credit card using conventional offset lithographic printingon a plastic film substrate and on a metal foil adhered to the plasticfilm substrate by a suitable adhesive, the multiple surface consistingessentially of the printed PVC film substrate and the printed metal foiladhering thereto being laminated over with an over-laminating PVC film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved credit card and the method ofmaking the card as a multi-surfaced foil laminate having at least twoprinted surfaces, a first surface consisting of a printed metal foilupon a plastic film substrate, a second printed surface comprising aprinted plastic film, the first printed surface consisting of a printedmetal foil upon a plastic film substrate and comprising a laminate, thetwo surfaces, the first comprising a laminate, the second comprising aprinted plastic film, being collated together and laminated together toform a multi-surfaced foil laminate. This invention relates to theprocess for preparing the multi-surfaced foil upon a plastic filmsubstrate laminate with two printed surfaces, one surface comprising aprinted metal foil upon a plastic film substrate and one surfacecomprising a printed plastic film, the printing by conventional offsethalf tone lithography printing, and to the multi-surfaced foil laminateprepared thereby.

This invention also relates to an improved credit or identification cardand the method of making the card as a multi-surfaced foil laminatehaving at least two printed surfaces, each printed surface consisting ofa printed metal foil adhering to a plastic film substrate, each printedsurface consisting of a printed metal foil upon a plastic film substrateand comprising a laminate, the two laminate surfaces being collatedtogether and laminated together to form a third multi-surfaced foillaminate. The invention also relates to the process for preparing theprinted foil surface upon a plastic film substrate to form amulti-layered foil laminate with two printed surfaces, each surfacecomprising a printed metal foil upon a plastic film substrate, theprinting by conventional offset half tone lithography printing and tothe multi-surfaced foil laminate prepared thereby.

This invention also relates to an improved credit card and the method ofmaking the card as a double sided double printed multiple surface andlaminate credit card, the multiple surface consisting of a printed PVCsubstrate and a printed metal foil adhered to the second side of theprinted PVC substrate by a suitable adhesive, the printing being byconventional offset half tone lithography printing, the printed PVC filmsubstrate and the printed metal foil adhering thereto being laminatedover with an over-laminating PVC film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the multi-surfacefoil credit card laminate of the present invention having at least twoprinted surfaces, one surface of printed PVC, one surface of printedmetal foil.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the steps of an embodiment of thepresent invention for producing a multi-surfaced foil credit cardlaminate having at least two printed surfaces, one surface of printedPVC, one surface of printed metal foil.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the multi-surfacefoil credit card laminate of the present invention having at least twoprinted surfaces, each surface of printed metal foil.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing the steps of an embodiment of thepresent invention for producing a multi-surfaced foil laminate having atleast two printed surfaces, each surface of printed metal foil.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention of the multi surface foil credit card having twoprinted surfaces, one surface being a PVC film substrate with printingon a first side and a printed metal foil adhering to a second side, theprinted PVC substrate and the printed metal foil adhering to a secondside being laminated over with an over-laminating PVC film.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram representing the steps of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention of the multi surface foil creditcard having two printed surfaces, one surface being a PVC film substratewith printing on a first side and a printed metal foil adhering to asecond side, the printed PVC substrate and printed metal foil adheringto a second side being laminated over with an over-laminating PVC film.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of themulti-surfaced unitary foil laminate credit card wherein the thicknessof the foil laminate has been enlarged for illustration purposes. Theunitary foil laminate with two printed surfaces comprises twosubstrates, each with printed indicia which are laminated together toform a single unitary product. The foil laminate consists of a plasticprinted stock of 13 mil PVC, 15 and printing 16, and a metal foil 12with heat activation adhesive 11 laminated to plastic stock 10, of 13mil PVC, which form the two substrates. The two substrates are laminatedtogether with over-laminating film, 17, which is a transparent PVC filmof overall thickness from 1 to about 6 mil, preferably about 2 mil. Theprinting is by conventional offset half tone lithography on a sheet fedpress. The over-laminating film may have a magnetic foil applied on theinside of the film. Thus, the two printed surfaces have cleartransparent scratch-resistant protective surfaces over the printedindicia.

The method of making the unitary foil laminate with two printed surfacesprotected by a clear transparent scratch resistant protection surface isshown in FIG. 2, which comprises the steps of providing a first plasticsubstrate 10 of PVC, providing the metal foil 12 with the heat-activatedadhesive as a surface adhered to the metal foil as 11 and providingprinted indicia 13 on metal foil 12, followed by providing a secondplastic substrate 15 of PVC and providing printed indicia 16 on plasticsubstrate 15. The substrate comprising 10, 11, 12 and 13 embody aseparate laminate with printing 13 on a metallic foil 12. The twosubstrates are collated and laminated together with over-laminating film17 of PVC preferably 2 mil. The plastic substrates and metal foil are inthe form of large sheets of the thickness described. Multiple printedindicia are printed upon the substrates. A plurality of individual foillaminates can be die cut to card size from the large laminated sheetsafter the over-laminating film 17 is applied. The individual cards canbe further finished by embossing, application of signature panels orholograms, etc., including embossing each segment with an appliedscratch off or “ultra-graphic indicia” to enhance appearance or utility.

The substrate PVC sheet 15 and the substrate metal foil 17 as a laminatesurface adhering to PVC sheet 10 by adhesive 11 are printed separatelyusing a conventional offset lithography process. The metal foil isinitially provided as a continuous sheet or web from a suitable supplyroll or the like which has one surface of the sheet provided with asuitable adhesive so as to adhesively contact and be bonded to theplastic substrate, preferably a clean PVC film of 13 mil thickness toprovide support for the metal foil without cracking during the printingstep. The PVC film, in turn, is adapted to be bonded to the metal foilby possessing a dyne level of 36 or more above the energy level and asurface roughness measured in microinches by an RA meter of within therange of 30 to 100 RA, defined as roughness average of the surface ofthe plastic, measured with a RA meter (roughness meter), aswell-understood in the plastics industry.

Examples of suitable metal foil include aluminum foil sheetsmanufactured under the trade name Spectratec® by the Rainbow HolosheenCompany®. The foregoing metal foil sheets have a thickness ofapproximately one (1) mil, preferably from about 0.05 mm to about 1.5mm. It will be appreciated that foils of different materials, such asgold or silver or bronze, and having a different thickness arecontemplated for use in the present invention. The adhesive coatings areactivated within a temperature range of from 110° F. to 200° F. Typicaladhesives are formulated for adherence for designated plastic substratessuch as PVC, which requires specific adhesive properties. It isaccordingly preferable that the metal foil has a suitable adhesivecoating for the substrate, which in this invention is PVC. Preferably,to thickness of the foil with adhesive is of the order of approximatelyone (1) mil.

Examples of suitable PVC film sheets include PVC film sheetsmanufactured under the trademarks Nanya® or Empire®. Thickness ispreferably within a range of from 8 to 24 mil more preferably about 13mil and with specified surface roughness to provide or improveprintability.

An ink to be satisfactory for printing metal foils on plastic substratesmust form a clear, sharp print with good covering power, adheretenaciously to the metal foil and withstand the wrinkling and creasingto which the metal foil may be subjected during processing. It ispreferable that the ink be of such nature as not to require excessiveheat or prolonged exposure to heat to effect satisfactory adherence tothe metal foil by the ink since prolonged exposure to heat or excessiveheat can cause the plastic substrate to deform or otherwise distort. Asuitable ink includes ink manufactured by Superior® which has therequired high tack, low wax content and imparts sufficient free energyto the smooth surface to form an adequate adhesive bond, not only underwet conditions but when the ink is thoroughly dry and the print hasaged. Other suitable inks include inks manufactured by Handschy®, whichalso provide the high tack, low wax requirements. Similar inks arerequired for printing on the PVC film sheets, which also requirecharacteristics of high tack, low wax and are suitable for printing onPVC film.

The over-laminating PVC film for laminating the two surfaces can includeover-laminating PVC sheets manufactured by Empire® or Nanya® wherein thefilm thickness is within the range of from 1 mil to about 6 milpreferably about 2 mil. The over-laminating PVC film is preferablyclear, transparent and has the necessary properties of beingheat-sealable, is durable at the heat seal as well as durable over thecomplete film, has low permeability to oxygen, carbon dioxide and gasesin general and is a material that has strength and flexibility at bothroom temperature and low temperature.

The method of making the multi-surfaced foil laminate having at leasttwo surfaces is shown in FIG. 2 in a block diagram of the preparation ofa metal foil card with a metallic surface on one side and a standard PVCplastic film on the other side using standard offset half tonelithography printing on a sheet fed press and finished with standardmethods at temperatures within the range of from 290° F. to 310° F. withpolished plates in the laminating step with a short dwell of time offrom 6 to 8 minutes under pressure of 800 to 1500 p.s.i.

Referring now to FIG. 2, where the drawing is for the purpose ofillustrating an embodiment of the invention and not for the purpose oflimiting the invention, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating thebasic steps of the method of making an embodiment of the presentinvented credit card.

Referring to the steps of preparing the printed metal foil on the PVCsubstrate, a metal foil sheet 12 with one surface of the metal foilprovided with a suitable heat-actuated adhesive is secured and bonded tosheet medium 10 with a roll laminator at a temperature within the rangeof from 110° F. to about 200° F. As noted, the PVC comprising sheetmedium 10 must have a dyne level of 36 or above with an RA of 30 to 100,to provide a suitable substrate for metal foil adherence.

The PVC-metal foil laminate is advanced to a conventional sheet fedoffset half tone lithography printing press to print indicia upon themetal foil surface of the laminate. The indicia may be in coloredhalftones or solid and may also include a further color or print surfacetherebeneath forming a colorated or contrasting background, forinstance, such as white or any other suitable color. The ink, as noted,must be a high tack, low wax PVC ink to apply a four-color image on topof the metal foil laminate to yield a printed metal foil sheet. Thisprinting process is performed by utilizing cyan, magenta, yellow andblack separations and plates. The preferred ink hues are cyan 20-32,magenta 44-55, yellow 6-11, gray −C/M/Y-16 or under, in order that thecolor reproduction will match the original color of the artwork.Standard offset plates with 133 to 300 line screen, curved to compensatefor excess dot gain by 17% are preferable to reproduce the originalindicia on the metal foil to avoid excess dot gain at standarddensities. Conductivity of the water used in the offset lithographyprinting is preferably within the range of from about 2000 to 3000 mhosper centimeter to print on metal foil as a fountain solution (water).Conductivity over 3600 or 4400 mhos per centimeter can prevent printingor drying printed indicia on metal foil. The form rollers are preferablynot in excess of 35 durometers. Otherwise, the printed indicia canindicate excess dot gain, color streaks, and poor color reproductionwith excess plate wear with overall inadequate reproduction of theoriginal. The compressible blankets are preferably packed at 1 mil underthe bearers to obtain print quality and to avoid too much dot gain andbroken image areas on the metal foil. To obtain the required color anddetail of the imprint on the metal foil, the preferable dot gain is 175line screen under 31 cyan/under 31 magenta/under 29 yellow/under33K/under 33 P.M.C., and ink film thickness via densitometer ispreferably cyan 1.00-1.30/magenta 1.10-1.40/yellow 0.80-1.10/black1.35-1.70. Examples of suitable printing presses include the HeidelbergSpeedmaster offset printer (model nos. 72S+L and 102 S+L). It will beappreciated that printing processes other than a four color ink printingprocesses are also suitable, including printing processes which usefewer or greater numbers of ink colors.

Immediately after the printing step, it is essential that spray powder,35 microns diameter or larger is coated upon the printed surfaces to dryinto the ink so the printed surfaces will not develop ink offset, pickor have poor print quality. The essential application of the spraypowder allows the printed sheets to be handled and processed withoutrisks of smudging, smearing or distorting the inks during a suitabledrying period of approximately twelve hours or less depending uponambient humidity and temperature which can be modified by conventionalprocedures without departing from the scope of the invention defined inthe appended claims. The spray powder essentially provides a thinsurface between the top surface of one powdered sheet and the bottomsurface of a powdered sheet stacked thereupon. This surface allows foreasy handling of stacked sheets. The spray powder prevents wet inks fromsticking or adhering to the bottom surface of a powdered sheet stackedthereupon. The spray powder enables the ink to dry. The air dries theink, the powder used to separate the sheets and prevent them fromsticking. A preferred spray powder is a spray powder manufactured byVarn Products Company, Inc., of Oakland, N.J., and sold under theproduct name Anti Set-Off Powders® No. R-23). This powder is comprisedof starch. It will be appreciated that other spray powders with similarproperties are suitable as well.

Referring to the steps of preparing a printed PVC sheet as illustratedin FIG. 2, PVC sheet 15 is printed by offset half tone lithography on aconventional offset lithography sheet fed separations and plates asalready described, followed by spraying powder and drying the print inkas indicated, to prepare print surface 16 on PVC substrate 15. Referringfurther to FIG. 2, the two substrates, PVC sheet 10 with adhesive 11,metal foil 12, and printing 13 as a separate substrate, and sheet 15with printing 16 thereon, as a second substrate, are collated and bondedtogether on the PVC sides.

As an additional step, which may be preferable, an application of a heatactivated adhesive as a dry-bond adhesive to at least one PVC side ofthe two substrates aids bonding of the two substrates. Bonding isaccomplished in a laminating press under the application of heat andpressure at 290° F. to 310° F. with pressure of about 1000 p.s.i., forexample, with an over-laminating clear PVC 2 mil film with a 6 minutedwell time under pressure. The over-laminating film can have anidentification magnetic foil applied on the inside of the film. Thelaminate is die cut to required size and finished by embossing orfurther post processing as required.

Referring now to drawings, FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectionalview of the multi-surfaced dual foil laminate credit card wherein thethickness of the foil laminate has been enlarged for illustrationpurposes. The foil dual laminates with two printed surfaces comprise twosubstrates, each with printed indicia which are laminated together toform a single unitary product. Each foil laminate consists of a plasticprinted stock of 13 mil PVC 10 and 20, printing 13 and 23, and metalfoil, 12 and 22, with heat activation adhesive, 11 and 21, the twolaminates collated and laminated together with over-laminated film 17 ofPVC of about 2 mil. The metal foil and PVC substrates are in the form oflarge sheets of the thickness described. Multiple printed indicia areprinted on the metal foil of each foil dual laminates. A plurality ofindividual dual foil laminates can be die cut to card size from thelarge laminated sheets after the over-laminating film 17 is applied. Theindividual cards can be further finished by embossing, application ofsignature panels or holograms, etc., including each segment with anapplied scratch-off or “ultra-graphic indicia” to enhance appearance orutility.

The method of making the multi-surfaced credit card dual foil laminatehaving at least two printed surfaces, each surface of printed metalfoil, is shown in FIG. 4 in a block diagram, in the preparation of adual metal foil credit card with dual metal surfaces using standardoffset half tone lithography printing on a sheet fed press and finishedwith standard methods at temperatures within the range of from 250° F.to 310° F. with polished plates in the laminating step with a shortdwell time of from 6 to 8 minutes under pressure of 800 to 1500 p.s.i.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the drawing is for the purpose of illuminatinga second embodiment of the invention and not for the purpose of limitingthe invention. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating the basic stepsof the method of making an embodiment of the present invented creditcard with a dual foil laminate having at least two printed surfaces,each surface of printed metal foil.

As referred to earlier, the steps of preparing the printed metal foil onthe PVC substrate are utilized to prepare the second printed metal foilupon the PVC substrate, basis the same limitations and methodrequirements as previously specified for making the unitary foillaminate illuminated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and described earlier, utilizingthe same procedures, same component materials. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustratea second embodiment of the invented credit card, wherein a metal foillaminate prepared as taught and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 anddescribed in preceding paragraphs of this description of this invention,is bonded to a second metal foil laminate prepared as described andillustrated in preceding paragraphs.

Referring now to drawings, FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectionalview of the multi-surfaced metal foil laminate credit card wherein thethickness of the foil laminate has been enlarged for illustrationpurposes. The foil laminate with two printed surfaces comprise onesubstrate of PVC film 30 with printed indicia 36 on a first surface anda printed metal foil 32 adhering with heat activated adhesive 31 to asecond side of the PVC substrate, 30, the printed PVC substrate, 30 and36, and printed metal foil, 32 and 33, laminated together withover-laminating PVC film 37 as the external surfaces of themulti-surfaced metal foil laminate credit card to form a single unitaryproduct. Each foil laminate consists of a plastic printed stock of 24 to28 mil thickness, preferably about 26 mil and with specified surfaceroughness to provide an improved printability. The over-laminating filmfor laminating the printed PVC substrate and the printed metal foiladhering to the PVC substrate can include over-laminating PVC sheetsmanufactured by Empire® or Nanya® where the film thickness is within therange of from 1 mil to about 6 mil, preferably about 2 mil. The metalfoil and PVC substrate are in the form of large sheets of the thicknessdescribed. The substrate PVC sheet 30 and the substrate metal foil 32 asa laminate surface adhering to PVC sheet 30 by adhesive 31 are printedseparately using a conventional offset lithography process. The metalfoil is initially provided as a continuous sheet or web from a suitablesupply roll or the like which has one surface of the sheet provided witha suitable adhesive so as to adhesively contact and be bonded to theplastic substrate, preferably a clear PVC film of 26 mil thickness toprovide support for the metal foil without cracking during the printingstep. The PVC film, in turn, is adapted to be bonded to the metal foilby possessing a dyne level of 36 or more above the energy level and asurface roughness measured in microinches by an RA meter within therange of 60 to 90 RA, defined as roughness average of the surface of theplastic, measured with an RA meter.

Referring to FIG. 6, initially, multiple printed indicia 36 are printedonto the PVC 30 first surface, the printed first surface being spraypowdered to coat the printed surfaces and allow the PVC sheets to behandled during a suitable drying period of approximately twelve hours orless. Further referring to FIG. 6, the sheet metal foil 32 withheat-activated adhesive 31 on one surface is bonded to the dried PVC onthe PVC second surface. The metal foil 32 bonded by adhesive 31 to PVCsheet 30 is printed by off-set lithography, the printed metal foil beingspray powdered to coat the printed surface, and this allows the printedmetal foil on the printed PVC substrate to be handled during a suitabledrying period. The dried printed metal foil on the printed PVC substrateis over-laminated with an over-laminating PVC film 37. The laminate isdie cut to required size and finished by embossing or further postprocessing as required.

The foregoing description is of specific embodiments of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated that these embodiments are describedfor purposes of illustration only and that numerous alterations andmodifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intendedthat all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as theycome within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalentsthereof.

1. A multi-surfaced foil laminate having printed indicia visible on bothsides through a clear plastic over-laminating film, said indicia printedin at least one color on the outer visible surfaces of said laminate,said printed indicia by lithography offset 133 to 300 line screenhalftone printing wherein spray powder coated on the printed surfaceshelps dry the printing inks, provides space for drying, wherein saidmulti surfaced foil laminate comprises two printed surfaces exteriorlyvisible through an exterior transparent plastic film, one printedsurface comprising a printed plastic film sheet substrate and a secondprinted surface comprising metal foil adhering to a plastic film sheetsubstrate, said metal foil printed on the non-adherent side and servingan outside printed surface, said surfaces providing identifying indiciathrough said exterior transparent plastic film, said plastic film sheetsubstrate and said exterior transparent plastic film comprising PVC,said metal foil selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold,silver and bronze, said multi-surfaced foil laminate severed intopredetermined segments.
 2. The multi-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1wherein said two printed surfaces comprise two layers of said laminate,a first layer comprising a printed plastic film sheet film providingidentifying indicia through an exterior transparent plastic film, saidprinted plastic film sheet substrate comprising PVC, a second layercomprising a printed metal foil adhering to a plastic film sheetsubstrate providing identifying indicia through said transparent plasticfilm.
 3. The multi-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1 wherein said twoprinted surfaces individually comprise two layers of said laminate, saidtwo layers individually comprising a printed metal foil adhering to aplastic film substrate providing identifying indicia through saidtransparent plastic film.
 4. The multi-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1wherein said two printed surfaces comprise a laminate comprising aprinted metal foil adhering to a first side of a plastic film substrate,said plastic film substrate printed with identifying indicia on a secondside of said plastic film substrate, providing said identifying indiciathrough said transparent plastic film.
 5. The multi-surfaced foillaminate of claim 1 wherein said metal foil is aluminum.
 6. Themulti-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1 wherein said identifying indiciafurther comprises identifying information means located on saidlaminate.
 7. The multi-surfaced foil laminate as claimed in claim 5wherein said identifying information means is a magnetic tape which isattached to said laminate on a surface providing identifying indiciathrough an exterior transparent plastic film.
 8. The multi-surfaced foillaminate of claim 1 wherein said multi-surfaced foil laminate is severedinto predetermined segments to serve as credit cards, gift cards, andidentification cards, each segment having printing located on each outerside.
 9. The multi-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1 wherein said metalfoil is of an overall thickness of about 0.05 to 1.50 mm.
 10. Themulti-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1 wherein said plastic film sheetssubstrates are of a thickness within the range of from 8 to 28 mil. 11.The multi-surfaced foil laminate of claim 1 wherein said exteriortransparent plastic film is clear PVC film of a thickness within therange of from 1.5 to 2.5 mil.
 12. The multi-surfaced foil laminate ofclaim 1 wherein said printed indicia is by lithography offset 175 linescreen halftone printing.
 13. The multi-surfaced foil laminate of claim1 wherein laminating step has a dwell time of from 6 to 8 minutes underpressure of 800 to 1500 p.s.i.
 14. A multi-layered foil laminatecomprising a foil laminate having printed indicia visible on both sidesthrough a clear plastic over laminating film, said indicia printed in atleast one color on the outer visible surfaces of said laminate, saidindicia printed on a first plastic surface comprising a plastic filmmaterial, said indicia printed on a metal foil as a second surface, saidprinted indicia by lithography offset halftone printing, said clearplastic over-laminating film and said plastic film material comprisingPVC and said metal foil comprising aluminum, said multi-layered foillaminate severed into predetermined segments.